by Mona Risk
Chapter Fourteen
Sitting on the stone ledge separating the sidewalk from the sand at Las Olas by the Beach, Alexa enjoyed a delicious crab sandwich and a cold Coke. Dante had insisted they were entitled to a break and a lunch. Multicolored umbrellas dotted the four-mile beach. Children played in the shade, others ran or hopped along the burning expanse of sand to reach the ocean, while young mothers clad in bikinis lay on towels to soak the sun and gain a fashionable tan.
Alexa wished she could join them. She’d missed the beach and hadn’t been strolling on the sand or swimming since the day she was attacked. Her foot swung impatiently, kicking the sand with nervous strikes. For how long would she have to give up her favorite hobbies because of a vicious predator?
Jet Skis rumbled, drawing white lines in the azure of the ocean as they crisscrossed in front of them. Longing stirred in her heart. “Dante, have you ever driven a Jet Ski?”
He smiled. “Never, but it shouldn’t be difficult, if all these teenagers can do it. We’ll rent one next weekend.”
Next weekend? She counted on her fingers. “I’ve been in this mess for less than a week. And yet it seems like ages.”
Dante squeezed her hand. “It’ll be over soon.”
She snorted. “I don’t see how. Things are getting more complicated every day. Every hour, a new deception pops up.”
“Have faith, as my nonna often tells me.”
She smiled. It was so refreshing to see such a confident man quote his grandmother as the ultimate source of wisdom. “I wish I could meet her.”
“You will. As soon as we have some free time. She and my sister have already asked me to bring you over.”
Spinning her head toward him, she frowned. “Have you talked to them?”
“No yet. But when I was in Palermo, I mentioned I met a lovely young woman. Nonna made me promise I’ll introduce you to her.”
“Oh dear, you talked about me to your family when you were away? I thought you forgot me.” She had that urge to throw her arms around his neck and kiss him, regardless of the crowd bustling around them.
“You see what I mean. You should have more faith in me.”
“Hmm.” Joy bubbled in her chest. Yes, she’d trust him completely from now on, not only about solving her recent problems, but...
Oh God, could he have special feelings for her?
A Jet Ski roared not too far away. She closed her eyes, imagining herself sitting on the speeding toy, within Dante’s close embrace, waves splashing all over them. Yes, that would be lovely. A sigh escaped her and she melted at the sentimental vision lingering in her mind.
“If you’re done with your lunch, let’s go meet the detective.” Dante urged her up, slamming her daydreaming. She marshaled her thoughts into order. So much for sentimentality.
They strode back to his car and drove home. As they approached the Blue Waves building, the peaceful images of Las Olas evaporated, replaced by new worries.
What would Ladd say about the check she’d signed? Would he believe her explanations?
The detective marched toward them as soon as they entered the lobby. “Can we meet in Ms. Alexa’s apartment? I have a few things to check.”
Already guessing which things he was talking about, she didn’t ask questions. During the ride in the elevator, Ladd studied her from under half-closed lids. Lifting her chin, she smoothed her hair in the mirror and ignored him.
“Alexa, do you remember the security code?” Dante pressed his hand to the small of her back. “You have one minute,” he reminded her.
“Yes.” She turned her key, opened the door, and immediately entered the numbers on the small box affixed on the wall to deactivate the alarm.
Detective Ladd studied the security box and nodded. “Good, good.”
They settled in the living room. “What’s new?” Dante crossed his arms, and she waited for the detective to lay out his new findings.
“Do you recognize this, Ms. Alexa?” He showed her a copy of the infamous check and activated his recorder.
“I saw it this morning for the first time.”
He scowled. Dante narrated their visit to his office, the discovery of the check, and some of the facts Alexa remembered from her encounter with Steve.
Detective Ladd asked her to repeat them for him. Omitting the obscene details, she summarized her reminiscences.
“I hope this clears Alexa completely,” Dante concluded on her behalf.
The detective scratched his head, his gaze flicking from Dante to her. “How long have you two been dating?”
“I took her out for dinner twice before I left for Sicily.”
“And since you returned you haven’t left her side?” Ladd arched a sarcastic brow.
“Exactly. I lent her my support to stand against a killer who’s still on the loose. And I offered her comfort when you insisted on treating her like a criminal rather than a victim.”
“I never...” Ladd stopped short, and turned to Alexa. “I’m sorry if that’s the impression I gave you. I’m just doing my job. Ms. Alexa, I know you think you already answered this question, but one more time for the record. Has Steve ever asked you to lend him or give him money?”
“Never.”
“He just asked you to marry him.”
“Yes.”
“Did Dante Cantari ask you to marry him?”
“Oh God.” She flinched, air stuck in her throat like a lead ball. “No,” she whispered.
“You don’t have the right to ask such a personal question,” Dante retorted, his temper flaring.
Unperturbed the detective pinned him with a caustic look. “Would you kill for her, Mr. Cantari?”
Dante spun his head toward Alexa and captured her beautiful eyes, so green, so limpid. Yes, he could kill the bastard who had hurt her so much. “I’m her lawyer and friend. I can help her without killing anyone, and I hope we can both count on the police to guard our backs and arrest the perpetrators.”
“I see,” Ladd said, as if he’d reached his own conclusion.
“There are others who may have more reasons to kill.” Dante had had it with the detective’s wrong assumptions.
“That’s what I plan to find out.”
“How about Greg and his morbid jealousy?”
“Can we call him here?”
While Alexa reached for her phone, Ladd walked to the bar and lifted his gaze to the lamp hiding the secret camera.
“He’ll be here right away,” she said as she walked to open her door.
A moment later, Greg walked in. “Good afternoon, everyone.” In long pants and printed button down shirt, he looked the part of an executive on vacation. “Can I help anyone with a drink?” His back straight, his chin tilted arrogantly, he acted the lord of the house and went to the bar to pour himself a Scotch.
“Thank you, sir. I just have some questions,” Ladd answered patiently.
Greg lowered his tall frame into the white leather chair he always favored. “Shoot.” He sipped his drink as if he had all the time of the world.
“Do you still love your ex-wife?”
Greg sputtered and bellowed, “What kind of a question is that? Of course, I love her dearly, and I promised her father I’d take care of her.”
Both Dante and Alexa exhaled at the same time. They’d heard it almost a hundred times.
“You hated Steve because he wanted to date and marry your ex-wife. Would—”
“He harassed her.”
“Did you kill him?”
“Nonsense. I just warned him that I would report him to the police for harassment. I had to protect her,” he repeated with more strength.
“Is that why you installed a camera in her living room?
Greg shrugged. “Oh you found it? I’ve almost forgotten about it.”
“You jerk. You spied on me. When did you have it installed?” Arms crossed, Alexa bit her lips, her narrowed eyes never wavering from her ex-husband.
“Long time ag
o, sweetheart. When you asked me for a divorce, I remembered your mother’s affair and the ensuing problems.”
Alexa lurched forward, her finger pointing at him. “Leave my mother out of this.”
“I had to know if there was a bastard in the background trying to manipulate you and steal your inheritance. When I realized I had no reasons to doubt you, I agreed to the divorce. I only wanted your happiness. Even if that meant crushing my own heart.”
Alexa blew out an exasperated sigh.
Crushing his heart with Dianna, and others. Dante shrugged. How like Greg to play the doting ex-husband. “Where did you watch the recording of the surveillance camera?” Dante leaned forward, interested in hearing the practical details.
“On my computer, here.” They all followed his glance to Alexa’s office. “I haven’t watched it for months. See? I trust you, sweetheart.”
“That’s too bad.” Detective Ladd raised a sarcastic eyebrow. “Can we watch it now?”
“Sure. The camera only covers the front door, entrance hall, and living room,” Greg explained with a blunt tone free of emotion, as if he were about to demonstrate a new equipment to his audience. “The file is on the hard drive. Its capacity is sixty days. And the new recording replaces the older one. So we can only see the last two months.”
“That’s more than enough,” Dante grumbled, and then whispered into Alexa’s ears. “Is there anything you don’t want these men to see?”
She hissed through gritted teeth. “I never walk in my undies, or without, if that’s what you mean. But we were together...”
“I couldn’t care less if Greg bawls over it,” Dante answered in her ear.
Greg settled into the comfortable chair in front of the opulent antique desk and turned on the old computer. “I left it here, because it was more practical. I used to read my emails every day when I came to check on Alexa. But I found it too slow and bought a laptop, in my apartment downstairs. Here we go.”
They bunched behind him while he replayed the recording.
They watched Alexa’s few visitors pop on the screen. Nothing interesting for three-quarter of the file. Mostly Greg himself, one or two maintenance guys, or men from the building security.
“I’m not used to receiving visitors,” Alexa said. Dante was away during the previous two months.
And then Steve appeared on the monitor screen. The video showed him standing at the door talking to Alexa.
“That was the day I didn’t let him in. The day before he died,” she commented with a grim tone.
The images flipped to show Steve arriving with two glasses and entering Alexa’s apartment with his key.
“So he didn’t take the glasses from your kitchen cabinet,” Dante commented.
“But they are mine. Although, I’ve never noticed two glasses missing.”
“Look carefully now.” Dante squeezed her shoulder, alerting her not to miss any details.
Several exclamations echoed as they saw Steve stop at the bar and pick up the carafe. A moment later, Alexa came out of her bedroom. Her open mouth and gestures attesting to her screaming as she spotted him.
On the mute screen, the script continued. Steve smiled, showed the carafe and goblets, and then turned his back to her as he poured the drinks. He gave her one goblet and held the other. Then he put it on the table, pulled his phone from his pocket, and walked to the balcony.
The video showed Alexa looking at him, waiting, then taking the glass on the right side, the one that was previously in his hand and moving toward the kitchen. She strolled back with another similar glass.
When Steve came back from the balcony, Alexa still had her glass in hand, and he took the other one that she’d never touched.
“Stop for a moment,” Detective Ladd ordered as he scribbled on his pad. “Mr. Partson, you will make me a copy of the whole file.”
“Absolutely. Shall I continue?”
“Yes, please.”
The next scenes showed Greg’s presence when he announced the news of Steve’s death, and Dante’s arrival.
“You can fast forward,” Ladd suggested.
Greg banged on the desk as they witnessed Dante and Alexa’ hugging and exchanging blazing kisses. “How dare you paw her, you miserable SOB?”
“From this, you can see that Alexa is very dear to me,” Dante amiably answered, while Alexa chuckled. “You’ll see many more similar scenes from this past week. Try not to pay attention.”
“Quiet, please,” the detective ordered. “Ah, here I am,” he added with a satisfied smile, as he appeared on the monitor. “This must be the few times I came to interview you.”
“Not interesting to our case.” Greg fast forwarded.
“Oh my God, who is that?” Alexa gasped, and the three men hunched forward. In broad day light, a masked man entered the apartment after Alexa left, rushed to her bedroom, and left almost right away, with nothing in hand.
“He’s wearing the same ski mask as the man who tried to kill me in the ocean,” she mumbled.
Steve was already dead. Who was this one?
“He hasn’t stolen anything,” Ladd mused, his eyebrows scrunched.
More pictures of people visiting scrolled by, showing Dante, Greg, Ladd, and Dianna.
“Since when do you socialize with Dianna?” Greg asked with a scowl.
Alexa shrugged, not ready to reveal the reason of Dianna’s visit and her claiming to be scared of Greg. “She came once.”
The video continued and the camera focused on the mask man again. “Good God, it’s the same guy again. He came twice.” Alexa hugged herself, her pallor betraying her intense emotion.
Dante sent her an understanding look, but abstained from reaching for her in front of Ladd and Greg. “The first time he must have hidden the ring to incriminate you, and—”
“And the second time,” Greg interrupted with a loud angry tone. “The bastard is staying much longer to search your apartment. He’s obviously looking for the safe. You have a million dollars worth of jewelry, plus the sum you keep for emergencies. But he’s going away empty-handed.”
“We’ve seen enough. Mr. Partson, can you make me a copy now?”
“Sure.”
“Greg,” Alexa said with a firm tone. “Show me how you open the surveillance file and what’s the password you use?”
“But—”
“No buts. From now on, I’m the only one accessing this file.”
Dante stifled his grin.
“Good idea, Ms. Alexa.” Ladd surprised them by nodding. “Well, Mr. Partson?”
“Here, click on this icon,” Greg grudgingly replied. “It starts the program. Now, open the file. I can’t give you my password.”
“Change it and give me a new one. Use 21AJan86.”
“What’s wrong, sweetheart, don’t you trust me anymore?”
“The password, Greg? Don’t force me to bring a technician to rip the whole thing apart.”
Greg mumbled a curse and changed the password. “Here it’s done.”
“Wait. I’ll see if I can open it.”
“Alexa! Don’t you think you’re going too far?”
“Not far enough. I’ve reached the point where I don’t trust anyone. I’ll take care of myself without your so-called protection, Greg,” she muttered as she typed the new password and sighed with relief when the file appeared on the screen.
“Happy now?” Greg asked with a scowl.
“Just satisfied.”
Proud of her assertive initiative, Dante hadn’t interfered. Eventually, he’d suggest she remove the surveillance camera, or replace it with a more modern camera if she still wanted such a device in her apartment.
Greg gave a flash drive to the detective. “If you don’t need me I’m leaving.”
“Ms. Alexa,” the detective said after Greg left. “Don’t touch that computer. I’ll send a cop to pick it up and bring it to our lab.”
“Detective Ladd, now we know that Steve came with the glass
es, one of them laced with the Valium. We also know that Alexa was drugged at the time she signed the check. It looks to me that Steve is the guilty one here. May I suggest you search his apartment?” Dante’s firm voice sounded like an order rather than a suggestion.
“Steve is dead. He can’t be the guilty one. We’ve already searched his room. Let me finish my investigation,” he threw over his shoulder as he left.
Alexa shook her head. “By the time he finishes his investigation, it may be too late to find more evidence.”
Chapter Fifteen
Alexa grabbed a bottle of water and settled in a lounge chair on her balcony. The serenity of the ocean had always helped her collect her thoughts. Would Ladd be able to solve the mystery of Steve’s death and the events surrounding it?
“We can’t wait for Ladd to work by the book.” For a change, Dante had bypassed his favorite beer, and sipped on a Coke.
“What else can we do at this point?” she mused without taking her eyes off the yacht gliding on the azure water. How she wished she could cruise on such a boat with Dante at her side. But right now, she lived in a tangled web and had to extricate herself alive before daring to dream.
“I’m going to search Carter’s apartment. He and Steve lived together for two years. I may find something interesting.”
“Are you crazy?” She spun to face Dante. God, he was serious. “What if he catches you?”
“I’m a big boy. I can defend myself.” A half smile stretched his lips to one side, but a grim determination sparkled in his eyes. “It’s obvious that Steve was up to something nasty before his death.”
She shivered in spite of the bright afternoon sun burning her skin. “Do you think the drug was intended for me?” She forced the words out of her mouth and barely heard her own voice.
“Darling, I don’t want to scare you, but yes, I’m convinced now that the adulterated drink was for you. You saved yourself by not drinking it.”
“Do you think Steve wanted to kill me?”
“Not kill you. The dose wasn’t strong enough, but put you to sleep.”
“And then what?”
“I don’t know. We can only speculate.”